Alaska Pride is a political blog dealing with issues of particular interest to Alaskans and those interested in Alaska. As Alaska's most politically incorrect blog, Alaska Pride addresses multiple issues ranging from politics, the environment, religion, and even race. I also seek to educate Outsiders about the real Alaska - why we cost more, and why it's a worthwhile investment for America.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

[Ed. Note: If you're one of the few who doesn't know where the term "Magic Negro" came from, read this Wikipedia entry.]

Ever since Barack Obama became the ultimate "Magic Negro", everybody who is anybody wants one, too. And Republicans certainly are no exception.

In one of the most trans-freaking-parent political decisions I've ever seen, 168 Republican leaders from across the country chose former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele on Friday January 30th, 2009, as the party's first black national chairman. While Steele possesses considerable qualifications to do the job, it is so obvious he was picked because of his race that even Helen Keller could figure it out. Media stories published by McClatchyDC (HERE and HERE) and WTOP 103.5 FM in Washington DC.

Steele, a 50-year-old son of a laundress, defeated five other individuals, including incumbent Republican National Committee chairman Mike Duncan, after six rounds of daylong voting. And after his victory, Steele said, "This is the dawn of a new party moving in a new direction".

Steele vowed that Republicans no longer would cede most of the Northeast, the Midwest and other regions to the Democrats. "We're going to bring this party to every corner, to every boardroom, to every neighborhood, to every community," Steele declared to a standing ovation in a Capital Hilton ballroom. "We're going to say to friend and foe alike that we want you to be part of us. And to those who wish to obstruct — get ready to get knocked over!"

The selection of a new Republican standard-bearer from heavily Democratic Maryland over four other party leaders reflected the widespread view that the GOP must draw younger, more diverse voters to the fold. "In the 21st century, the Republican Party realizes and America realizes that the party needs to change," said Johnnie Morgan, a black Los Angeles activist.

Others competing for the prize besides Mike Duncan included Saul Anzusis of Michigan, Chip Saltsman of Tennessee, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, and South Carolina Republican chairman Katon Dawson, who was the last remaining opponent and defeated on the sixth and final ballot. Saltsman withdrew from the race Thursday after enduring weeks of ridicule over sending his supporters a CD that included a song entitled "Barack the Magic Negro." But the real stunner was when Blackwell, the other "Magic Negro", suddenly withdrew and asked his supporters to back Steele. Afterwards, Blackwell, who had the backing of many social conservatives, claimed he hadn't chosen race over philosophy.

Yeah, right!

Steele opposes abortion, backs gun owners' rights and holds a few other conservative views. He applauded U.S. House Republicans for voting against Obama's stimulus package and urged them to stick to their guns. But comments posted to a Washington Post story indicate grass roots skepticism and even outright dissatisfaction. Steve Scheffler, head of the Iowa Christian Alliance, said Steele had ties to Republicans for Choice, Log Cabin Republicans — a gay-rights group — and others at odds with party conservatives.

But the most scathing criticism was delivered by Dr. David Duke, who served as a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1989-1991 and ran as a Republican unsuccessfully for several subsequent offices despite opposition from national Republican figures. When interviewed by the Washington Post about Steele's selection, discussed on this Stormfront thread, Dr. Duke was quoted as follows:

"I am glad these traitorous leaders of the Republican Party appointed this Black racist, affirmative action advocate to the head of the Republican party because this will lead to a huge revolt among the Republican base. As a former Republican official, I can tell you that millions of rank-and-file Republicans are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore! We will either take the Republican Party back over the next four years or we will say, 'To Hell With the Republican Party!' And we will take 90 percent of Republicans with us into a New Party that will take its current place!"

Analysis: All the Republicans did was change captains on the Titanic. The Republicans don't get it; they think their big tent strategy is O.K.; they just need a new tent.

The problem is the numbers don't support it. The only reason John McCain didn't get blown out in the November 4th election is because he had Sarah Palin pushing him. And Palin was little more than a rah-rah cheerleader. Republicans who ran as no-holds-barred conservatives won their races; when Congressman Don Young returned to his conservative roots, he defeated Ethan Berkowitz easier than expected. But particularly noteworthy was Jason Chaffetz' historic upset of six-term RINO Congressman Chris Cannon in Utah's 3rd Congressional District; he went on to score an easy victory over blue-dog Democrat Bennion Spencer in November. Here's Chaffetz' prescription to nurse the Republican Party back to good health, as published in Politico on January 29th:

The Republican Party should be the party of principle, not of political expediency. We should stand tall for our core principles of fiscal discipline, limited government, accountability, and a strong national defense. Over the years we have strayed from these principles and the consequences have been devastating, both to the economy and to the party.

Ironically, these are the principles a majority of Americans want their political party to stand for. Yet, we let them down.

Michael Steele wants to transform Republicans into right-wing Democrats. This failed in November, and will fail again, because Democrats are better at being Democrats. If the Republican leadership is determined to transform the party into a right-wing Democratic party, then it is the duty of conservatives to pull out en masse and do everything possible to destroy the Republican Party, for if the salt has lost its savor, what good is it for except to be trodden down under the foot of men?

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It's time for Americans to take America back! America has been in the hands of special interests too long. Sometimes it's necessary to set aside the labels; while I prefer the conservative solution, sometimes you gotta go to the left. Sometimes capitalism requires an occasional daub of socialism to smooth its sharper edges.